INDIGENOUS BAR ASSOCIATION CELEBRATES DIANNE CORBIERE'S PRESTIGIOUS RECOGNITION WITH THE LAW SOCIETY MEDAL

OTTAWA, ON - The Indigenous Bar Association (IBA) is thrilled to extend heartfelt congratulations to Dianne Corbiere, IPC, on being awarded the prestigious Law Society Medal by the Law Society of Ontario. 

Dianne is a  member of M'Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island in Northern Ontario, where she grew up. This esteemed recognition is a testament to Dianne's exceptional contributions to the legal profession and her unwavering commitment to advancing justice for Indigenous Peoples.

As a highly respected member of the legal community, Dianne has dedicated her career to advocating for Indigenous rights, reconciliation, and the advancement of Indigenous legal traditions. Her leadership and tireless efforts have not only fostered positive change within the legal landscape but have also inspired countless individuals across Canada. 

Throughout her distinguished career, she has been an innovator in advocating for the recognition and integration of Indigenous legal principles within the Canadian legal framework. In Restoule v Canada, Dianne was a key member of the legal team who represented the 21 Robinson Huron Treaty First Nations. Her powerful advocacy and negotiation skills led to her client accepting a historic settlement of 10 billion dollars. In that case, Dianne brought an innovative approach to including the Anishinaabe perspective in the courtroom and outside it, working with her clients, the court staff, opposing legal counsel and the bench to ensure Anishinaabe protocols were followed and ceremonies were included. 

Dianne was also one of the senior legal counsel representing the Assembly of First Nations in the  Child Welfare Class Action to compensate those harmed by discriminatory underfunding of the First Nations Child and Family Services program and those impacted by the federal government's narrow definition of Jordan's Principle. The class action was settled last year for $23.3 billion dollars. 

"We are immensely proud of Dianne Corbiere's remarkable achievements and her enduring dedication to advancing Indigenous rights within the legal sphere," said Drew Lafond, President of the Indigenous Bar Association. "Her unwavering commitment to justice and equality serves as a beacon of hope for Indigenous peoples and underscores the importance of Indigenous representation within the legal profession."

Dianne’s profound impact extends beyond the courtroom, as she has played a pivotal role in fostering dialogue, understanding, and collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, in particular as a bencher at the Law Society of Ontario for eight years, and as a former President of the IBA.

As one of our most decorated members, Dianne has received numerous awards and accolades for her contributions to the legal profession and Indigenous communities including the IBA’s Indigenous Peoples Counsel (IPC) designation; a recognition bestowed by the Indigenous legal community upon their own members who have demonstrated a strong commitment to serving the creator, Indigenous clients and advancing Indigenous legal rights. 

The Law Society Medal is a well-deserved acknowledgment of Dianne's outstanding achievements and her profound influence on the Canadian legal landscape. Her dedication to justice, equality, and reconciliation exemplifies the values upheld by the IBA and serves as an inspiration to future generations of Indigenous legal professionals.

The IBA is a national non-profit organization representing Indigenous legal professionals, including lawyers, judges, and law students, dedicated to advancing the rights and interests of Indigenous peoples in Canada. The IBA advocates for justice, equality, and the recognition of Indigenous legal traditions and perspectives within the legal system. For more information, please visit www.indigenousbar.ca.